Summit DCL-200 Operating Manual

Summit Audio Model DCL-200

Dual Compressor-Limiter

Operating Manual

IMPORTANT!: CAREFULLY READ THE ENTIRE INSTRUCTION MANUAL BEFORE HOOKUP OR OPERATION OF THE DCL-200.

WARNING!: HIGH VOLTAGE. THIS UNIT CONTAINS NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS. SERVICING SHOULD ONLY BE DONE BY QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL OR FACTORY. DO NOT OPERATE THE DCL-200 WITH THE COVERS REMOVED.

Summit Audio Inc.

1183 Baltic Suite A

Gardnerville, NV 89410

Product Introduction

The Summit Audio DCL-200 is a dual channel compressor/limiter with stereo linking capabilities. Based on a hybrid design, the DCL-200 combines the most desirable sonic characteristics of vacuum tubes with the increased reliability of solid state devices. DCL-200 circuitry incorporates selected 12AX7A vacuum tubes with high reliability 990 op-amps in a transformerless signal path, giving you an incredibly clean, precise sound, with the overtones and warmth of tube technology.

Features include:

Continuously variable attack and release times

Adjustable threshold

Variable slope (ratio)

Output gain control

Soft-knee transition characteristic

Stereo link switch

Dual true VU meters

Side chain insert

Bypass switch

Hand crafted in the USA

Having found this manual, carefully unpack the DCL-200 and it’s power cord. Save the carton and packing material should it be needed for future shipping. Before powering the unit, read this manual. Please observe the cautions for HIGH VOLTAGE. Proceed by doing the following:

1. Set the line voltage switch to the proper position

2. Determine the proper fuse size by referring to the specifications

Check for pilot illumination when powered up.

1. BYPASS:

THE CONTROLS

Removes the compressor/limiter from the signal path, although the tube

circuit is left in the signal path. The meter will show gain reduction and output level as if the compressor/limiter is in the signal path.

2. GAIN:

3. AC THRESHOLD:

4. SLOPE:

5. ATTACK:

6. RELEASE:

7. METER SWITCH:

Sets the input level of the DCL-200. When linking both sides of the DCL-

200 for stereo operation, this control will still need to be set individually for each side.

This controls the amount of gain reduction that will take place and the level at which compression starts. A high setting (far left) will require a large amount of signal to pass for compression to start and a low setting (far right) will require less signal to start compression.

Controls the compression ratio of the DCL-200. The higher the setting, the higher the compression ratio. This ratio changes depending on the signal level and the setting of the AC Threshold, and can vary from less than 1.1 to 1 to as high as 7 to 1.

This determines the time it takes the DCL-200 to respond to an incoming signal. A setting of 0 on this control yields a fast attack time of about .1mS and a setting of 10 produces a slower attack time (about 100mS).

The release control determines the amount of time it takes the DCL-200 to return to unity gain after compression. A setting of 0 is the fastest release time (up to 35mS) and 10 is the slowest (up to 10S). As the release time is increased, the DCL-200 becomes more and more program dependant.

1) NOTE: The attack and release values are not on the dial because they

interact with each other and vary with different amounts of gain reduction, AC Threshold and Slope control settings. The given values for attack and release times are measured with 12 dB of gain reduction and full signal change.

2) NOTE: The DCL-200 has the capability of extremely fast attack and

release times. This may tend to modulate complex waveforms, especially those with lots of low frequency content. A “clicking” sound may result. Increase the release (clockwise); this should alleviate the artifact.

This switch selects the VU to meter either output level or gain reduction.

8. LINK:

9. POWER:

10. OL LIGHT:

Links both channels of the DCL-200 for stereo operation. When in stereo (linked) mode, the AC Threshold, Slope, Attack, and Release controls of the top channel (channel 1) will control both channels. The bypass switch, meter switches, and the gain controls need to be set individually.

Switches the DCL-200 on and off. The overload or cliplamp is an LED that will light between .25 and .5 dB before clipping. The lamp has a pulse stretcher circuit to make it easier to see on quick peaks. The OL lamp is always in the main signal path.

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